Though the Big Ten has proven itself to be pedestrian over the season’s first month, there’s no doubt Michigan State is the cream of the crop and a true national title contender. The Spartans are 6-1 with impressive wins over North Carolina and Notre Dame and their only loss has come to top-ranked Duke.

And while Tom Izzo might worry about the nights his team beats itself, that old adage actually turned out to be a good thing on Thursday night.